Columbus Day

noun

Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- 

1

: October 12 formerly observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in commemoration of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492

2

: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S.

Examples of Columbus Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, Harris’s remarks on Columbus Day, framed as a celebration of indigenous peoples, have sparked discussions about the evolving narrative around this holiday and its implications for her political messaging. —Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Oct. 2024

Which retail and grocery stores are closed on Columbus Day? —Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024

State of play: Neither Indigenous Peoples Day nor Columbus Day is an official holiday in Texas, which is why state offices weren't closed Monday. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024

And while the second Monday in October has historically been celebrated as Columbus Day and is still federally recognized as such, many have pushed for moving away from the holiday to acknowledge the atrocities Columbus committed against people living in the Americas long before his arrival. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Columbus Day

noun

Co·​lum·​bus Day kə-ˈləm-bəs- 

: the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in honor of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492